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What Step-up transformers are best value?

I have recently bought a VDH Black Beauty cartridge. It needs top-flight SUTs. I'm currently using Silks, which are very good. I have also tried the S&B TX103s (lent by a good friend), and they are noticeably better. Their price, however, is prohibitive (£1400). Anyone know of any serious bargains out there, which are up there with the Tx103s?
lutenist
swampwalker's avatar
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swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
Lutenist- I do not begin to understand the ins and outs, but if you do some searches on the forums you will find that there are different schools of thought on loading primary vs. secondary. I will tell you that w a very high res system, you can hear v small differences in cart loading. I would NOT discount trying a good headamp.
ddriveman
129 posts
 
Lutenist,

I have tried resistor loading on the secondary side of the Silk transformers. The best write up on this is in the Bent Audio Forum. Have not tried loading on the primary. I find that loading on the secondary can help. But my preference is the Cinemag over the Silk even with loading. Of course YMMV.
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syntax
2,033 posts
 
Kondo KSL-SF-z. Expensive, but good.
lutenist OP
12 posts
 
Once again, many thanks for your replies.

I am interested in experimenting with loading. What value resistors should I try? I have no experience of this, and could do with some guidance. Where exactly do i put them?
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stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I just received my June Stereophile today and see that Art Dudley comments on the Bob's Devices SUT and says that it is very close to one costing 10X as much. He says"For the LP enthusiast who has yet to experience the superiority of a MC pickup combined with a transformer step-up device, I can think of no better place to begin."
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